Enhancing Film Grain Coding in VVC: Improving Encoding Quality and Efficiency

TL;DR

This paper analyzes and improves film grain coding in VVC, enhancing encoding quality and efficiency through advanced analysis and synthesis modules, with positive subjective and objective evaluation results.

Contribution

It introduces improved film grain analysis and synthesis techniques in open-source VVC implementations, advancing the state-of-the-art in film grain handling.

Findings

Enhanced visual quality of encoded videos

Accurate analysis and synthesis of film grain

Improved subjective and objective evaluation results

Abstract

This paper presents an in-depth analysis of film grain handling in open-source implementations of the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard. We focus on two key components: the Film Grain Analysis (FGA) module implemented in VVenC and the Film Grain Synthesis (FGS) module implemented in VVdeC. We describe the methodologies used to implement these modules and discuss the generation of Supplementary Enhancement Information (SEI) parameters to signal film grain characteristics in the encoded video sequences. Additionally, we conduct subjective and objective evaluations across Full HD videos to assess the effectiveness of film grain handling. Our results demonstrate the capability of the FGA and FGS techniques to accurately analyze and synthesize film grain, thereby improving the visual quality of encoded video content. Overall, our study contributes to advancing the understanding and implementation of film grain handling techniques in VVC open-source implementations, with implications for enhancing the viewing experience in multimedia applications.